Fundraising is an Art and a Science​

Nonprofits of all sizes need and deserve professional fundraising expertise, especially when navigating a complex and challenging funding landscape. These are my primary areas of consulting work, either on a project or retainer basis.

Building Robust, Creative Plans

Creating comprehensive development plans that leverage an organization’s unique strengths and address all major income areas and infrastructure needs

Empowering Fundraising Partners

Engaging, energizing, and equipping board members and other stakeholders to raise resources effectively and joyfully

Crafting Momentum-Building Events

Providing a structure and direction to jumpstart events and create effective donor engagement opportunities

Articulating the Case for Support

Creative compelling, fundable narratives and materials, including an organization’s case for support, elevator pitches, and grant proposal templates

Areas of Expertise

  • Institutional Support: Foundation & Corporate Grants
  • Corporate & Individual Sponsorship
  • Major Gifts
  • Individual Giving, “Mid-Level” Donors
  • Donor Circles, Annual Giving
  • Appeals
  • Planned Giving
  • Donor Recognition & Stewardship
Benefit & Cultivation Events
  • Re-envisioning annual galas and other events
  • Creation of signature or anniversary events
  • Honoree and committee member pipeline and expectations
  • Sponsorship and pricing structures for in-person and virtual events
  • Recommendations for detailed action plans and deadlines
  • Supporting committees and leadership in their fundraising roles
  • Integration with campaigns and donor stewardship 
Foundation & Corporate Support
  • Training and coaching relevant staff 
  • Developing effective strategies for approaching institutional donors
  • Training how to assess grant-maker match
  • Developing alternative strategies to letters of inquiry
  • Engaging stakeholders in forging connections
  • Delivering important proposals and letters of inquiry
  • Building a bookshelf of templates and attachments
Development Communications​
  • Development communications plans
  • “Investor communications”
  • Donor recognition strategies
  • Integrating case for support across organizational communications
  • Creating donor-facing collateral including case statements
  • Recommending website and social media content
  • Designing direct mail, email, social media, and integrated multi-channel appeals
  • Developing Annual fund campaigns and special appeals 
Organizational Governance
  • Facilitating Board retreats and meetings
  • Supporting relevant Board committees
  • Equipping Board members to articulate a case for support and elevator pitch
  • Delivering governance audits and best-practice recommendations
  • Strengthening governing documents; codifying roles and responsibilities (including give/get) 
  • Building strategic Board recruitment and nominating
  • Addressing diversity needs
  • Full Board and leadership training and coaching
Technology & Data Management​
  • CRM transitions to/from Salesforce and other platforms
  • CRM development and enhancements
  • “Superuser” of Salesforce NPSP, Raiser’s Edge, Donorperfect, and others
  • Codifying database, data management, and reporting best practices
  • Gift acknowlegement and accountability
  • Development list management
Capacity-Building & Technology
  • Auditing current development infrastructure
  • Creating recommendations for staffing and infrastructure needs
  • Developing job descriptions and advising on recruiting practices
  • Creating proposed measures of success for staff roles
Executive Support
  • Coaching executive and/or board leaders 1:1 in their fundraising activities
  • Supporting leaders in their development-related communications
  • Providing speaking points and/or copy for development-related written communications or presentations